Cars, homes vandalized overnight in east Columbia

COLUMBIA — Police responded to more than 30 calls Tuesday morning concerning vandalized cars and homes, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Haden said.

Several cars, along with a few homes, were spray-painted with racial and derogatory slurs Monday night or early Tuesday morning, police reported. The first call to police was placed around 4 a.m., and they had received 23 calls by 9 a.m. reporting vandalism, Haden said.

Most calls came from eastern Columbia, especially near St. Charles Road and Keene Street, Haden said.

The acts appear to be related due to the considerable number of incidents, Haden said.  The majority of the cars and homes were painted with purple, yellow, black and blue spray paint and appear to have been chosen randomly.

No suspects had been identified Tuesday afternoon, Haden said. Police are encouraging anyone with any information concerning the incidents to call CrimeStoppers at 875-TIPS.